Arsenal have secured an agreement to extend the contract of Gabriel Martinelli, according to a trustworthy source.

Martinelli joined Arsenal in 2019 from Ituano in his native Brazil and has since scored 25 goals from 110 games for the club. This season has been particularly fruitful, since he has scored seven times from 26 appearances in all competitions.

He has started all 19 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far this season, establishing himself as part of the young core of players Mikel Arteta has been getting the best out of.

As things stand, Arsenal are top of the Premier League table. But there has been a risk that they could lose Martinelli, who has become a target for Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.

Martinelli’s contract is due to expire in 2024, which has caused other clubs to take a look at him. Some sources have even been warning of a late January departure for the Brazilian striker.

But according to The Athletic, Arsenal can breathe a sigh of relief. A report by David Ornstein has revealed that Martinelli has “agreed” to extend his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal could have tied down Martinelli to a longer contract by activating an automatic two-year option until 2026. However, rather than going down that easier route, the Gunners have managed to negotiate an upgraded contract for the 21-year-old to last until 2027.

It will further protect them from any advances by other clubs in months and years to come. But right now, Arsenal seems like the place to be for a player like Martinelli anyway.

Hence, the left winger should get the chance to keep developing under Arteta, who has given him 92 of his Arsenal appearances to date.

Martinelli will also be relieved that the club still have big plans for him despite their recent addition of Leandro Trossard in a similar position. Indeed, both are versatile players, so one playing won’t necessarily block the other from doing so as well.

Martinelli renewal could be first of a few

Next, Arsenal’s attention should turn to the contracts of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. They are both due to become free agents in June 2024 as well, as has been the case with Martinelli. But similarly, they should be big elements of the club’s future.

Therefore, Arsenal need to tie them down as well. But securing Martinelli is a positive first step. After all, it proves that talented players can envisage a bright future with the club.

There are many years ahead for Martinelli to express his potential. Arsenal are now closing in on finalising the package that will ensure he does so in their colours, for the next four-and-a-half years at least.

Despite some setbacks along the way, it has been some rise for Martinelli. This new deal will act as recognition of how important a player he has become for Arsenal.

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